SEREMBAN: The Mawar Medical Centre (MMC) here has become the first private hospital in Negri Sembilan to provide drive-thru Covid-19 testing to reduce the workload of government hospitals.
MMC chairman Datuk Lee Tian Hock who became the first person to officially get tested here said it takes only five minutes for medical staff to collect oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal swabs from individuals without them even having to alight from their vehicle.
"We decided to do this to reduce the work burden of healthcare workers in government hospitals.
"It is also to give an opportunity to locals who wished to be tested at a private hospital but can't go all the way to Kuala Lumpur where such testing is available due to the movement control order," he said when met at the official launch on Monday (March 30).
Lee, who is also property developer Matrix Concepts Holdings Bhd executive deputy chairman, said he decided to get tested as he met several business associates recently.
"This is just a precautionary step. In fact, I have asked my site staff including managers and supervisors who have been dealing with our workers to also get tested and the company will bear the cost," he said.
MMC deputy medical director Dr Ong Chiew Ping said the hospital only accepts between 15 and 20 drive-thru individuals a day and they will have to make appointments before they come.
"They will get their test results between three and five days through their e-mail or WhatsApp application," she said, adding that the hospital also accepts walk-in individuals but the numbers were fewer.
However, she added that the tests are only for those who had not travelled abroad recently and did not come into close contact with a Covid-19 positive individual.
They, she said, would still have to go to the government hospital for testing.
The MMC, she said charges RM550 to individuals for the drive-thru test and the rate was extremely reasonable.
The drive-thru operates from 9am to noon from Mondays to Saturdays. Those who wish to get tested can call 06-764 7048 for appointment.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Get 20% OFF The Star Digital Access
Cancel anytime. Ad-free. Unlimited access with perks.
